Feeding mechanism for carton filling machines



April 10, 1934. c. a: WWW 1,953,928

FEEDING MECHANISM FOR CARTON FILLING MACHINES Filed April 23, 1950 8Sheets-Sheet 1 i i InJenTgr Liar/e5 L Q/Mi' April 10, 1934. c. c. COLVER1,953,928

FEEDING MECHANISM FOR CARTON FILLING MACHINES Filed April 23, 1930 8Sheets-Sheet 2 50 Q pc:

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FEEDING MECHANISM FOR CARTON FILLING MACHINES Filed April 25, 1930 8Sheets-Sheet 3 Il'nfnTZT [Ear/as [ZZZ/er April 0, 1934. c. c. COLVER1,953,928

FEEDING MECHANISM FOR CARTON FILLING MACHINES Filed April 23, 1930 8Sheets-Sheet 4 5;; finfera [Zak/es 0/1/67 W7Mm April 10, 1934. c. c.COLVER FEEDING MECHANISM FOR CARTON FILLING MACHINES Filed April 23,1930 BSheets-Sheet 5 a a 0/ a H n. w J 2 Q r H mm 1 |l 7 W J \II W U w||||1 \WM H 0 HUN.

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April 10, 1934. c. c. coLvER 1,953,923

FEEDING MECHANISM FOR CARTON FILLING MACHINES v Filed April 25, 1930 8Sheets-Sheet 6 [Zaifis [ilk/er m, w m A m HHM NW0 1 w hm fi M SNw E 1 HO 7 m J/ Y K T Hm Q NQ April 10, 1934, c. c. COLVER 1,953,923

FEEDING MECHANISM FOR CARTON FILLING MACHINES Filed April 25, 1930 8Sheets-Sheet 7 iglrenm Patented Apr. 10, 1934 FEEDING MECHANISM FORCARTON FILLING MACHINES Charles C. Culver, Oak Park, 111., assignor, bymesne assignments, to Triangle Package Machinery 00., Chicago, 111., a.corporation of Illinois Application April 23, 1930, Serial No. 446,440

21 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in feeding mechanism for cartonfilling machines and it consists of the matters hereinafter describedand more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

The primary object of the invention is to provides. mechanism forfeeding measured quantities of articles to the discharge spout of acarton filling machine, which mechanism is especially adapted forhandling without breakage, crackers, cookies and similar articles.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mechanism of this kind,which does not choke or jam and which is so constructed that thearticles measured out may be readily changed in a short period of timefrom one quantity to another.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a mechanism ofthis kind which includes in one of the hoppers thereof, an agitatorwhich gently produces a stirring action that loosens the articlesagainst packing together so that jamming and breakage of said articlesis reduced to a minimum.

These objects of the invention as Well as others, together with the manyadvantages thereof, will more fully appear as I proceed with myspecification.

In, the drawings:-

Fig. 1 is a view in front elevation of a carton filling machine having afeeding mechanism embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view thru the same on an enlarged scaleas taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is another vertical sectional view on an enlarged scale as takenon the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view through my improved feedingmechanism as taken on the line 4--4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is another vertical sectional view through the mechanism of Fig.4 as taken on the line 5-5 thereof.

Fig. 6 is a horizontal sectional view as taken on the line 6-6 of Fig.1.

Fig. '7 is another horizontal sectional view as taken on the line 7-7 ofFig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a horizontal detail sectional view on an enlarged scale, of acertain clutch later to be described.

Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view through the ply of the articles suchas crackers, cookies and other commodities to be fed in measured quantities to a carton filling mechanism. This hopper which includes anagitator to prevent packing, discharges axially into a secondary feedhopper the discharge being of such a character that CO said, secondaryhopper cannot be overloaded. The bottom of this secondary hopper is inthe form of a substantially flat cone to direct the articles outwardly,to enter, oppositely disposed feed tubes.

Associated with the bottom end of the feed tube is a revolving platewhich carries a pair of measuring cups. This plate bottoms the feedtubes and when the measuring cups register therewith, a portion of thecontents of each tube discharges into each cup. The discharge from thetubes to the cups includes a dwell; that is, a part. of the contents aredischarged into the cups to partially fill them and thereafter anothermovement completely fills them.-

The feed tubes are made in two telescopic parts to provide foradjustment in the amounts or quantities to be measured out and said cupsare bottomed by a nonrotative plate having discharge openings therein inline with coacting carton filling spouts and as said cups sweep aroundsaid plate and register with said openings, the measured quantities insaid cups are discharged through said openings into certain spouts to bedelivered thereby into the cartons. 2.

As my improved feeding mechanism includes actuating parts which areincorporated more or less directly in a carton filling machine fullyshown and described in my copending application filed April 23, 1930under Serial Number so 446,441, only those parts which are essential toa clear and comprehensive understanding of my invention will bedescribed in detail herein, the remainder being referred to only in ageneral way.

Referring now in detail to that embodiment of the invention illustratedin the accompanying drawings, 1 indicates as a whole the frame of acarton filling machine with which my improved filling machine isdirectly associated. Said frame includes laterally spaced, perpendicularright and left hand posts 2 and 3 respectively, each of a channel barcross section. Each post is secured at its bottom end to the mid portionof an associated forwardly and rearwardly extending foot piece 4 ofangle bar cross section and said posts are connected together by top,bottom and intermediate, vertically spaced cross bars 5, 6 and 6respectively as well as by a circular plate 7 disposed in a plane ashort distance below that of 11 the top cross bar 5. The plate 7 issecured to said posts by angle brackets '7 which have a bolt and slotadjustable connection 7* with said posts, whereby said plate is capableof a limited vertical adjustment with respect to said posts.

Secured to the posts 2 and 3 respectively, near the foot pieces arepairs of forwardly and rearwardly extending brackets 8 and 9respectively and journalled in said brackets are transversely extending,horizontal shafts 10 and 11 respectively. The shaft 10 is thecontinuously rotating drive shaft of the carton filling machine and isdriven through suitable speed reducing mechanism 12 (see Fig. 6) from amotor 13 mounted on a bracket 14 on the rear side of the left hand post3. On the right hand end of the shaft 11 is a clutch mechanism 15 drivenby pulley and belt 16 from the shaft 10. A shifter mechanism 16 isassociated with the clutch whereby the shaft 11 may be operativelyconnected to and disconnected from the shaft 10 so far as drivingrelation is concerned in a manner well known.

1'7 indicates an upright shaft disposed midway between and in the planeof the posts 2 and 3. Fixed to the bottom end of said shaft is a collar18 and loose on said shaft above the collar is a horizontally disposedyoke 19. Between said yoke and the left hand post 3 is a horizontalshaft 21 to which is fixed a bevelled pinion 23 which meshes with asimilar pinion 24 fixed to said upright shaft 17. On the shaft 17 ashort distance above the bevelled pinion 24 is fixed a sprocket 26.

In line with but spaced rearwardly of the upright shaft 17 is a secondupright shaft 27 arranged in the vertical plane of the shaft 11. Theshaft 27 is journalled near its bottom end in the sleeve 28 of aninverted U shaped yoke 29 engaged on the shaft 11 and is journalled atits top end in a rearwardly extending bracket 30 made integral with theintermediate cross bar 6 before mentioned as best shown in Fig. 2. Fixedt0 the bottom extremity of the shaft 2'7 within the yoke 29 is abevelled pinion 31 which meshes with a similar pinion 32 on the shaft 11also within said yoke. The shaft 27 is also journalled at a point abovethe pinion 31 in a rearwardly extending bracket 33 made integral withthe bottom cross bar 6 before mentioned. Fixed to said shaft 2'7 betweenthe pinion 31 and bracket 33 is a sprocket 34 which is operative througha chain 35 to drive the sprocket 26 on the shaft 17. Thus when theclutch 15 is in both shafts 17 and 27 are being continuously driven inthe same direction.

Surrounding the major bottom end portic'... of theshaft 17, is anintermittently rotated tube 36 having bearing at its bottom end and atits mid portion in hubs integral with the bottom and intermediate crossbars 6 and 6 respectively before mentioned. The top end of said tubebears in the hub of a plate 5 fixed centrally to the cross bar 5 and aspacing bushing 5 (see Fig. 5)

,is provided between the top end of said tube and the shaft 1'7. vTheplate 7 up through which said tube 36 extends, is provided with asuitable hearing sleeve '7 therefor.

The bearing sleeve 7 has end thrust bearing upon a substantially longsplit spacing sleeve 37 surrounding an exteriorly threaded part 36 ofthe tube 36 and below said sleeve is a split clamping nut 38 having ascrew threaded engagement on said tube. When the bolt and slotconnection 7 of the plate brackets '7 are loosened and the nut 38 ismanipulated, it is apparent that the plate 7 may be adjusted upwardly ordownward ly with respect to the tube 36. After adjustment the severalparts are again tightened up to secure the plate '7 in the adjustedposition.

Intermittent rotative movement is imparted to the tube 36 by thefollowing means:0n the shaft 27 just above the bracket 33 is located asuitable clutch mechanism 41, see Figs. 3, 8 and 9. Said clutch includesa collar 42 fixed to the shaft 2'7 and this collar has 9. dependingannular flange 43 in the interior surface of which are formed recesses44. Associated with and below said collar and loose on the shaft 27 isan annular pawl carrying plate 45 having a hub 46 to which is keyed aspur pinion 4'7 that has a thrust bearing upon the bracket 33. Thispinion meshes with a spur gear 48 keyed to the tube 36 and engaging onthe hub of the cross bar 6 to form part of the thrust bearing for saidtube.

The annular plate 45 of the clutch 41 closes the bottom end of thecollar 42 and journalled in said plate within the collaris a pin 49carrying a pawl 50 at its top end to engage in any one of the notches orrecesses 44 in the flange of the collar. On the bottom end of said pin49 is a dog 51 adapted to be engaged by trip fingers or stopshereinafter mentioned to disengage the pawl 50 from the recess 44 inwhich it is engaged and thus disconnect the plate 45 from the collar 42.A spring 52 connecting the dog and plate, normally swings the pawl intoengagement with the recess. The clutch mechanism 41 together withdirectly associated parts is enclosed by a cover 53, best shown in Fig.3.

To the front of the posts 2 and 3 in substantially the horizontal planeof the clutch collar 42 l On the cam shaft 54 near the left hand post 3is fixed a cam 57 adapted to engage a roller 58 on the slotted front end59 of a rearwardly extending rod 60. This rear end of said rod isconnected to the free end of an arm or lever 61, fixed at its other endto the top end of an upright rock shaft 62. Said shaft is journalled inan L-shaped arm 63 fixed to and extending rearwardly from the cross bar6 near the post 3. On the bottom end of this rock shaft is an arm 64diametrically opposed to the lever and the free end of this arm is bentback upon itself as at 65 to form an abutment which when the arm isswung into one limit of its movement, forms a stop that is engaged bythe dog 51 of the clutch 41. When this dog so engages the abutment, thepawl 50 is released from that recess 44 in which it was engaged tomomentarily break the driving connection between the collar 42 and plate45. So soon as the arm 64 swings in the other direction, it releases thedog 51 and the pawl 50 again enters one of the recesses 44 under theaction of the spring 52 to again operatively connect the collar 42 andplate 45. A spring 56 fixed at its ends to the arm 64 and to the crossbar 6 respectively, acts to normally throw the arm 64 so that its bentover end 65 will stand in the path of the dog 51.

Near the other post 2 there is fixed to the shaft 54 a cam 57 adapted toengage a roller 58 on the slotted front end 59 of a rearwardly extendingrod 60. The rear end of said rod is connected to e If the short arm 61of a bell crank lever fixed to an upright rock shaft 62. This rock shaftis Journalled in abracket 63 fixed to and extending rearwardly from thecross bar 6 near the cover 53. The long arm 64 of said bell crank leverhas its free end 65 normally disposed in the path of the dog 51 at apoint spaced about 60 in a clockwise direction away from the abutment asprovided by the bent over end 65 of the arm 64. A spring 66* connectedat one end to an arm 61 and at its other end to the cross bar 6respectively, normally acts to throw the lever arm 64 into a positionwherein the end 65 thereof will stand in the path of the dog 51.

In each instance a spring acts to throw the stop levers or arms in onedirection and cams act to throw said levers or arms in the oppositedirection. Thus for each rotation of the shaft 27 the pinion 47' istwice arrested and of course the tube 36 will likewise'be arrested.

67 indicates the main supply hopper of the feeding mechanism and 68indicates the secondary hopper associated therewith. The secondaryhopper has a tapering side wall 68 the latter being fixed to posts 59rising from the plate 5 on the top cross bar 5.- In the secondary hopper68 to provide the rotatable bottom therefor, is a conical member 70which is keyed to the shaft 17 and coacting with the member 70 butdisposed at a greater angle with respect thereto is a second conicalmember 71. The member '71 which is radially corrugated is also keyed. tothe shaft and preferably has an angle of inclination of less than 45.

The main supply hopper 67 is substantially funnel shaped and is providedat its bottom end with a tubular neck 72 to which is fixed a ring 73.Secured to this ring are the top ends of a plurality of radial armslithe bottom ends of which are secured to the rim 68 of the secondaryhopper whereby the main supply hopper is supported in position. On thetop end portion of the shaft 17 within the supply hopper 67 is fixed anagitator member 75 in the form of a helically bent rod or wire whichincreases in diameter toward its top end. This agitator member in therotation of the shaft 17 imparts a loosening lifting action of thematerial in the hopper in a manner preventing packing at the inlet endof the hopper neck '72 which would not only choke the same but wouldbreak the articles operated upon and especially so when such articlesare breakable ones as crackers and cookies are so known to'be. By meansof this agitator a gentle upward movement is imparted to the articlespassing into the neck '72 which cannot be choked up and breakage of thearticles which reduces their salability is reduced to a minimum. On theneck '72 of the hopper is provided a telescopically adjustable sleeve 76which controls the amount of articles that may pass into the secondaryhopper so that the same cannot become overloaded. When bulky articlesare to be discharged into the secondary hopper, the sleeve 76 is movedupwardly on the neck 72 toward the arms '74. Thus is the rate ofdischarge or flow of articles from the supply hopper to the secondaryhopper accurately controlled, according to the character of the articlesbeing operated upon.

Opening through the tapered side of the wall 68 of the secondary hopper68, at the front and rear thereof, are elbows '77 from each of whichdepends a feed tube 78 and both tubes are held in position by means ofan associated arm '79 secured to the plate 5 before mentioned.

Between the top cross bar 5 and the fixed plate '7, is located acircular table or plate 80 that is fixed to the tube 36 by means of ahub 81 so as to rotate with said tube. In said table or plate areoppositely arranged depending neck tubes 82-82 so disposed as to comealternately into registry with the bottom ends of the feed tubes 78 inthe rotation of the plate 80, those circular portions of the platebetween said neck tubes normally closing off the bottom ends of the feedtubes in said rotation of said plate. On the top surface of the plate 80is a pair of inner and outer annular ribs 83 and 84 respectively whichdefine the circular path presented to the bottom end of both feed tubes78, the openings for the neck tubes 82 being disposed, of course, insaid path.

In that side of the bottom end of each feed tube 78 facing in thedirection of rotation of the plate 80 is an opening 85 the size of whichmay be controlled by a vertically adjustable gate like plate 86 on saidtube end. This opening permits the spilling out or escape of theoverflow or excess of articles in the feed tube. This opening in eachfeed tube is advantageous in that when bulky articles are being handledand as the neck tube 82 moves away from the bottom ends of the feedtubes, the articles in said bottom end of the feed tube can work orescape out of the feed tube as said tube end is closing and thus thetendency to cut. and break the articles is avoided. The articlesescaping out of the neck tube openings 85 spill onto the circular pathsas defined by the annular ribs 83 and 84 and are carried aroundtherewith until .they engage a pair of diametrically oppositeobstructing members 87 disposed in said path. These members 8'7 are inthe form of upright plates of a width approximating the distance betweenthe ribs 83-84 and the bottom edges of said members approximately engagethe top surface of the rotating plate 80. Each member is supported by anarm 88 fixed to the cross bar 5 and in the rotation of the plate 80 saidmembers act as stops for the excess articles spilled out on the platefrom the tubes 78 and against which said articles pile up. So soon as aneck tube approaches one of said members 87, the articles piled up infront of the same fall into said neck tube.

Associated with the neck tubes 82 are tube extensions 89 which have atelescopic connection on the out side of said neck tubes to provide inconnection therewith adjustable measuring cups. Both tube extensions arecarried by an arm 90 fixed to the tube 36 and the bottom ends of thesaid cups normally slide or sweep over a circular part of the plate 7 asdefined by inner and outer annular ribs 91 and 92 thereon. In said plate7 and spaced midway between the feed tubes 78 are discharge tubes 93 sothat when the plate or table 80 has rotated through an arc of 90 fromthe feed tubes 78 the measuring cups as provided by the parts 82 and 89will register with the discharge tubes 93 so as to release the measuredquantity of materials thereinto.

Means is provided to stop the rotation of the plate 80, each time themeasuring cups as defined by the telescopic tube parts 82-89 comes intoregistry first with the feed tubes '78 and then with the discharge tubes93 and such means is as follows:-On the periphery of the plate or table80 are opposed pairs of notched stop members 94 which members are spaced90 apart when considered collectively. Each member 94 includesoppositely inclined surfaces 95-95 with a notch 96 therebetween.Associated with said members are rocker arms 97-97 one mounted on abracket 98 secured to each post 2 and 3 respectively. Each rocker arm isconnected at one end to-the associated bracket by a spring 99 and theother end of each rocker t-arm carries arolle'r 100 that has rollingengagement with the peripheral edge of the table or plate. Thus eachtime the pawl 51 engages the end of the member 64 to actuate the clutch41 to disconnect the tube 36 with respect to the shaft 27, the roller100 of each rocker arm, rides up the advancing inclined surface 95 ofthe approaching member 94 and drops into the notch 96 thereof topositively stop the plates in the registering positions beforementioned. So soon as the cam 5'7 actuates the arm 64 to release thepawl 51 which actuates the clutch 41 to again connect the tube 36 indriven relation with the shaft 2'7, the arms 97 yield to permit therollers 100 to roll out of the notches 96 and down the trailing inclinedsurface of the members 94 to again rollingly engage the periphery of theplate between said members 94.

It is here pointed out that the member 64 acts to but only momentarilythrow out the clutch 41 and then permits it to be thrown in again untilthrown out by the arm 64". This first stopping is as before mentionedbut momentary and occurs just after the measuring cups as formed by thetubular parts 82--89 begin to line up with the feed tubes 78. Thismomentary throwing out of the clutch permits a short dwell to occur assaid measuring cups start to line up with the feed tubes so that only aportion of the articles in the feed tube are discharged into the cupsand as the plate is again rotated to bring said cup and tube intocomplete registry, a final discharge of articles takes place into saidcups.

Thus there is a preliminary and a final discharge or dumping from thefeed tubes into the feed cups and the purpose thereof is to preventinterlocking of the articles while entering the feed cups in such a wayas to jamb and choke up the cups which of course will produce unduebreakage of the articles. When the articles being operated upon are ofsuch character as cannot interlock and pack with each other and do noteasily break, then the arm 64 may be rendered inoperative for itsintended purpose in several different ways so that the operation of themachine is speeded up to that extent. On the outer flange 84 of therotating plate 80, at diametrically opposite sides thereof I provideupright guard plates 101 which prevent the material which has flowedfrom the openings of the feed tubes 78 onto the plate 80 from spillingover said outer flange 84.

The tubes 93 discharge into the top or inlet ends of associated spouts102 forming a part of the carton filling machine shown and described inmy copending application before referred to. In general each spout isslidably mounted with respect to rails 103 supported at the front of theposts 2 and 3, for a reciprocating movement in timed relation withrespect to other parts of the filling machine, which relation isgoverned by cams on the shaft 54.

The discharge ends 104 of said spouts are offset forwardly from theplane of the inlet ends and overhang a support 105 for the cartons 106being filled. Said support as shown herein is in the form of a conveyormechanism and includes an endless belt 107 upon which the cartons engageto be carried into the plane of the discharge ends of the spouts. Asuitable stop arm 108, arrests the carton in the filling positionbeneath the discharge ends of the spouts and this arm is actuated intimed relation from the cam shaft 54.

The bottom discharge end of each spout is normally closed by coacting,triangular plates 109 which form an inverted pyramidal or pointed endfor the spout. In the downward movement of the spout said plates enterthe open top ends of the cartons at which time they swing outwardly tospread the flaps of the carton and permit a passage of the articlesthrough the spouts into the cartons. Thereafter the spouts moveupwardly, withdrawing said plates from the carton, when they havecleared the fiaps of the carton.

The construction described accurately feeds, measured amounts ofmaterials from the hopper to the filling machine spouts and this in sucha gentle easy way that breakage of the articles is reduced to such anextent as to be substantally eliminated. Again the mechanism may beadjusted, not only as to the quantities to be measured but also may beadjusted to accommodate the character of the articles operated upon.

By means of the neck '76 for the main supply hopper, the rate of flow ordischarge from said hopper into the secondary hopper may be adjusted toa nicety and the members 70 and 71 forming the rotative bottom for saidsecondary hopper imparts a gentle wave like action to the articles todistribute them outwardly so that they will readily enter the feedtubes.

While in describing my invention I have referred in detail to the form,arrangement and construction of the parts thereof, the same is to beconsidered merely as illustrative so that I do not wish to be limitedthereto except as may be specifically set forth in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A feeding mechanism of the kind described embodying therein aplurality of arcuately spaced feed tubes, means providing a plurality ofdischarge openings arcuately spaced on the same circle as said feedtubes but out of registry with respect thereto, a plurality of measuringcups rotative in said circle to alternately partially and then fullyregister with said feed tubes and discharge openings respectively andmeans for momentarily arresting the movement of said feed cups when insaid partial and full register with said feed tubes and dischargeopenings respectively.

2. A feeding mechanism of the kind described embodying therein a feedtube, means providing a discharge opening spaced from said feed tube, ameasuring cup alternately movable into and out of registry with saidfeed tube and opening respectively and means for initially arresting themovement of said cup in partial registry with said feed tube and forfinally arresting the movement of said cup when in complete registrywith said feed tube.

3. A feeding mechanism of the kind described embodying therein aplurality of feed tubes each having a relief opening in one sidethereof, a plurality of discharge openings arcuately spaced therefrom, arotative plate normally bottoming the feed tubes, measuring cups carriedby said plate and alternately registering with said feed tubes anddischarge openings in the movement of said plate, said relief openingpermitting an escape of material from said tubes onto said plate as themeasuring cups move out of registry with said feed tubes, and means fordirecting said escaped material into the next approaching measuring cup.

4. A feeding mechanism of the kind described embodying therein aplurality of feed tubes, each having a relief opening in one sidethereof, a rotative plate, means providing a circular path on said platewhich normally bottoms said tubes in the rotation of said plates, meansproviding a plurality of discharge openings arcuately spaced with.respect to said tubes, measuring cups carried by said plate in said pathand adapted to alternately register with said feed tubes and dischargeopenings respectively, said relief opening permitting an escape ofmaterial from said tube onto said path as the measuring cupsmove out ofregistry with said feed tubes and means disposed in said path forgathering said escaped articles to permit their discharge into the nextmeasuring cup as it approaches said means inthe rotation of said plate.

5. In a feeding mechanism of the kind described, a hopper having adischarge opening in one side thereof, means for discharging materialinto said hopper and means for distributing said material dischargedinto said hopper toward the opening in the side thereof comprisingradially corrugated conical members of different angularities.

6. In a feeding mechanism of the kind described, a hopper having adischarge opening in one side thereof, means for discharging materialcentrally into said hopper and means providing .a radially corrugatedconical bottom for said hopper having portions arranged in differentangular positions and rotative to move the centrally discharged materialoutwardly toward the opening in said side.

'7. In a feeding mechanism of the kind described, a hopper having adischarge opening in one side thereof, means for discharging materialcentrally into said hopper and rotative means in the bottom of saidhopper having circular portions of different conical cross sections andone of which is formed with radial corrugations that act with awave-like movementto distribute the centrally discharged materialoutward toward the opening in said side. i

8. In a feeding mechanism of the kind de scribed, a hopper having adischarge opening in one side thereof, means for discharging materialcentrally into said hopper and means providing a rotative bottom forsaid hopper having inner and outer portions of different angular conicalcross sections, one of which portions is radially corrugated in part, todistribute the centrally discharged material with a wave like actionoutwardly toward said discharge opening in said side.

9. In 'a feeding mechanism of the kind described, a hopper having adischarge neck, a shaft extending axially of the hopper and neck, andmeans in said hopper adjacent the neck fixed at its top and bottom endsto said shaft for moving material upwardly away from said neck.

10. In a feeding mechanism of the kind described, a hopper having adischarge neck, a shaft rotative axially of said hopper and neck and ahelical member of an increasing diameter toward the top end disposedcentrally with respect to but above said neck and secured at both of itsends to said shaft for imparting an upwardly lifting stirring action tothe material in the hopper adjacent the neck.

11. A feeding mechanism of the kind described embodying therein a feedtube, means providing a discharge opening spaced from said tube, ameasuring cup movable from a position registering with said feed tube toan initial position partially registering with said discharge tube andembodyingtherein a feed tube, means providing a discharge openingarcuately spaced therefrom, a measuring cup movable in an are from aposition registering with the tube to an initial position partially.registering with said discharge opening and then to a final positionfully registering with said discharge opening and means for momentarilyarresting the movement of said cup when in said partial and fullregister with said feed tube and discharge opening respectively.

13. A feeding mechanism of the kind described embodying therein aplurality of feed tubes, means providing discharge openings ,arcuatelyspacedtherefrom, measuring cups movable in an are from positionsregistering with said feed tubes to an initial position partiallyregistering with said discharge openings and then to a final positionfully registering with said discharge openings, and means formomentarily arresting the movement of said cups when in said partial andfull register with said feed tubes and discharge openings respectively.

14. In a feeding mechanism of the kind described, a hopper having adischarge opening in one side thereof, means for discharging materialcentrally into said hopper and means providing a rotatable bottom forsaid hopper having inner and outer circular portions of differentangular conical cross sections and which outer portion terminates at itsperiphery near said opening one of said portions having an inclinationof less than 45.

15. In. a feeding mechanism of the kind described, a downwardly taperinghopper, means for discharging material centrally into said hopper, andmeans providing a rotatable bottom for said hopper having inner andouter circular portions of different angular conical cross sections andboth portions having an inclination of less than 45, the hopper having adischarge opening in one side thereof near the periphery of said outerportion.

16. In a feeding mechanism of the kind described, a downwardly taperinghopper, means for discharging. material centrally into said hopper, andmeans providing a rotatable bottom for said hopper having circularportions of different angular conical cross sections, and one of whichportions is radially corrugated, the hopper having a discharge openingin one side thereof near the periphery of said bottom.

17. In a feeding mechanism of the kind described, a downwardly taperinghopper, means for discharging material centrally into said hopper andmeans providing a rotatable bottom for said hopper having inner andouter circular portions of different angular conical cross sections withthe inner portion having a greater inclination but being less than 45,the hopper having a discharge opening in one side near the periphery ofsaid outer circular portion of said bottom.

18. In a feeding mechanism of the kind described, a downwardly taperinghopper, means for discharging material centrally into said hopper andmeans providing a rotatable bottom for said hopper having inner andouter circular portions of different angular conical cross sections withthe inner portion having a greater angularity, and one of said portionsof said bottom being radially corrugated, the, hopper having a dischargeopening in one side near the periphery of said outer circular portion ofsaid bottom.

9. In a feeding mechanism of the kind described, a secondary supplyhopper having a discharge opening in one side thereof, a main supplyhopper arranged above said first mentioned hopper and having a neckadapted to discharge centrally thereinto, means providing a bottom insaid secondary hopper having portions of different angular conical crosssections, a rotatable shaft to which said bottom is secured and whichshaft extends up into said main supply hopper and means secured to saidshaft in said main supply hopper for moving material therein upwardlyaway from said neck.

20. In a feeding mechanism of the kind described, a secondary supplyhopper having a discharge opening in one side thereof, a main supplyhopper arranged above said first mentioned hopper and having a neckadapted to discharge centrally thereinto, means providing a bottom insaid secondary hopper having portions of differ-- ent angular conicalcross sections, a rotatable shaft to which said bottom is secured andwhich shaft extends up into said main supply hopper and a helical memberof increasing diameter toward its top end fixed to said shaft above theneck to impart an upward lifting stirring action to the material in saidmain supply hopper near said neck.

21. In a feeding mechanism of the kind described, a secondary supplyhopper having a discharge opening in one side thereof, means providing arotatable bottom in said secondary supply hopper and which bottom hasinner and outer circular portions of different angular conical crosssections having inclinations of less than 45, a main supply hopperarranged above said secondary supply hopper, and having a neck adaptedto discharge centrally into said secondary supply hopper above saidbottom, said neck being of a diameter less than that of said bottom.

CHARLES C. COLVER.

